Kategorie: November2025

On November 17th, 2025, international students of the university of Siegen had the chance to visit Heinrich Georg GmbH Maschinenfabrik, a globally recognized company specializing in special-purpose machinery and plant engineering, located in Kreuztal. Despite the rainy weather, the bus ride provided a great opportunity for students to network and discuss expectations for the visit.

The afternoon began with a warm welcome by the public relations staff, who introduced the company and its values. The group was then treated to a presentation about the history and evolution of Heinrich Georg, from its founding in the 1940s to its current position as a leader in digitalization within industrial engineering.

Highlights of the visit included:

• A detailed company presentation on Heinrich Georg’s 70+ years of innovation in machinery and plant engineering

• A guided tour of the state-of-the-art production facilities, showcasing how the company integrates traditional engineering with modern digital solutions

• A chance to connect with multinational employees, including one who shared his personal experiences working at Heinrich Georg, speaking to students in Hindi and offering valuable insights into the company’s diverse, international team

• Refreshments, including food, coffee, and tea, providing an opportunity for informal networking and further discussions with company staff and fellow students

• A Q&A session, allowing students to ask questions about the company’s operations, culture, and career opportunities in the high-tech machinery industry

The visit provided students with valuable insights into the innovative world of industrial engineering and career opportunities at a leading global company.

Bonus: This event counted for 1 point in the Career & Networking category of the Employability Pass!

A big thank you to Heinrich Georg GmbH for their warm hospitality and to all the students who made this visit such a successful and enriching experience!

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New in Siegen? Looking to meet new people, share stories and build meaningful connections? 
Join us for another exciting Speed-Friending Event and connect with students from all over the world in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

📅 Date: November 25, 2025
🕕 Time: 18:00–21:00
📍 F-S Building (room details will be shared via email)

During the event, you’ll have the chance to meet many new people through short conversation rounds and interactive activities. It’s all about having fun, exchanging stories, and making connections that can last beyond the event.

What to expect:
• 🎯 Icebreaker games to get started
• ⏱️ Speed-friending rounds to meet many new people
• 🤝 Group challenges and fun activities

👉 Counts for 1 Employability Pass point (Well-Being & Social Integration)
📝 Registration required — this event is bigger than usual sessions.
Held in English. No perfect English needed. Everyone’s welcome!

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speed-friending-fit-well-being-social-integration-tickets-1850655543549?aff=oddtdtcreator

In the meantime, feel free to

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On November 25th, 2025, international students came together for a vibrant evening of Speed Friending, designed to make new connections in a fun and engaging way. Held in the F-S Building, the event offered a relaxed atmosphere where students from all over the world could meet, share stories, and create lasting friendships.

Event Highlights:

• Clustering Game: The evening kicked off with a lively icebreaker, where participants grouped themselves based on categories such as country of origin, number of siblings, field of study, favorite pet animal, and personality type (introvert, extrovert, or ambivert).

• Speed Friending Rounds: Students engaged in quick, structured conversations, helping them meet many new people and build connections in a short amount of time.

• Silent Quiz: Teams collaborated silently via their phones to answer trivia questions. The top three teams with the highest scores received fun prizes, adding a competitive twist to the evening.

• Social Atmosphere: Students enjoyed a variety of food and beverages throughout the event, creating a lively and casual environment that encouraged ongoing conversation and mingling.

• Cultural Exchange: With participants from different countries, the event fostered a rich exchange of cultural experiences and perspectives.

Throughout the evening, the atmosphere remained lively, and attendees praised the event for being both enjoyable and meaningful. Many left with new friends and a deeper connection to the Siegen student community.

Overall, Speed Friending was a fantastic opportunity for international students to expand their social circles, meet new people, and get a better sense of the local student culture in Siegen.

This event counted for 1 point in the Well-Being & Social Integration category of the Employability Pass!

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On November 6, 2025, international students who arrived late or were unable to attend the Orientation Days joined our Intercultural Awareness Session as part of the FIT: Welcome & Orientation program.

The session was designed to support students in navigating their new cultural environment and to help them better understand the challenges and opportunities of intercultural experiences. Through interactive input, discussions, and shared reflections, participants explored how cultural differences influence everyday situations and communication.

Highlights of the session:

✅ Understanding cultural adaptation processes and typical challenges in a new environment

✅ Learning strategies to deal with cultural misunderstandings effectively

✅ Reflecting on personal experiences and cultural perspectives

✅ Connecting and exchanging with fellow international students

The session provided a supportive space for participants to share their experiences, gain new perspectives, and build confidence in dealing with intercultural situations. Students left with practical tools to better navigate daily life and feel more at home in their new surroundings.

Outlook

Further workshops and support offers for international students will continue throughout the semester. Stay tuned for upcoming events and opportunities to strengthen your intercultural and professional skills.

On November 7th, students came together for the IHK(Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Company Meet and Greet event to connect with local employers and explore exciting career opportunities in the Siegen region. This networking session, organized in collaboration with IHK Siegen, provided an excellent platform for international students to get a firsthand look at the local job market and meet representatives from various companies.

Event Highlights:

• Networking opportunities: Students had the chance to speak directly with company representatives in a relaxed, informal setting.

• Insight into company cultures: Employers shared valuable information on the work environment, the skills and qualifications they look for in international candidates, and the hiring process in Germany.

• Practical advice on job applications: Students received tips on how to tailor their CVs for the German job market, approach interviews, and highlight relevant soft skills.

• Q&A session: Students could ask questions and receive personalized guidance on making a strong impression during job applications.

As the event wrapped up, students left feeling more confident about their job prospects and better equipped to navigate the German job market.

Overall, the IHK Company Meet and Greet offered an invaluable opportunity for students to build their professional networks and gain insights into what local employers expect from international talent. The event not only helped students make new connections but also gave them a clearer understanding of how to succeed in their career pursuits in Germany.

This event counted for 1 point in the category Career & Networking of the Employability Pass!

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Image by fauxels.

 

On November 29, 2025, participants took part in an interactive full-day workshop focused on understanding and navigating intercultural communication in the German academic and professional context.

Led by intercultural business communication trainer and coach Gertrud Goudswaard, the session combined expert input, hands-on exercises, and guided reflection to help students build confidence in working across cultures.

Highlights included:

✅ Understanding how cultural values influence communication, teamwork, and leadership

✅ Exploring eight key dimensions that shape collaboration in international business environments

✅ Reflecting on one’s own cultural background and broadening intercultural awareness

✅ Learning strategies to prevent and resolve misunderstandings in diverse settings

✅ Practicing how to adapt communication styles in writing, meetings, and negotiations

✅ Discussing personal questions and real-life challenges related to working in Germany

Participants actively applied their new insights — from analyzing cultural differences to experimenting with communication approaches tailored to the German work environment. By the end of the workshop, students left with greater cultural awareness, practical communication strategies, and more confidence in navigating intercultural situations.

🎓 As part of the Employability Pass, this workshop contributed 2 points in the category Soft Skills & Employability.

On November 28, 2025, international students joined the interactive session “Culture & Cake – A Sweet Dive into Germany” to explore key aspects of German culture in a relaxed and engaging setting.

The session combined practical insights into cultural norms with open discussion and exchange. Participants explored everyday behaviors, communication styles, and social expectations in Germany—while also experiencing one of the country’s most beloved traditions: enjoying coffee and cake together.

Highlights of the session:

✅ Exploring key aspects of German communication styles and social norms

✅ Understanding the role of rules, structure, and efficiency in daily life

✅ Learning how to avoid common intercultural misunderstandings

✅ Experiencing the German tradition of coffee and cake in a social setting

✅ Sharing personal experiences and connecting with other international students

The session provided a welcoming space for participants to ask questions, reflect on their experiences, and gain practical insights into navigating everyday life in Germany. Through both discussion and informal exchange, students were able to deepen their cultural understanding and feel more confident in their new environment.

Outlook

Further intercultural sessions and opportunities for exchange will continue to be offered. Stay tuned for upcoming events to further explore life and culture in Germany.

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📅 Datum: 24. November – 08. Dezember 2025 (Selbstlernphase)

Vom 24.11.-08.12.2025 hatten Teilnehmende die Möglichkeit am Selbstlernkurs Veränderungskompetenz teilzunehmen, der darauf ausgerichtet war, ihnen praxisnahes Wissen zu vermitteln und eigenständiges, flexibles Lernen zu ermöglichen.

Durch eine Kombination aus strukturierten Lernmodulen, praktischen Übungen und Reflexionsaufgaben konnten die Teilnehmenden die Inhalte in ihrem eigenen Tempo erarbeiten und direkt anwenden. Dabei lag der Fokus nicht nur auf der Wissensvermittlung, sondern auch auf der nachhaltigen Entwicklung individueller Kompetenzen.

Highlights des Selbstlernkurses:

✅ Flexibles, ortsunabhängiges Lernen im eigenen Tempo

✅ Praxisorientierte Aufgaben zur direkten Anwendung der Inhalte

✅ Förderung von Selbstorganisation und eigenverantwortlichem Lernen

✅ Möglichkeit zur individuellen Reflexion und Vertiefung zentraler Themen

✅ Nachhaltiger Kompetenzaufbau durch eigenständige Bearbeitung der Module

Die Teilnehmenden konnten wertvolle Erfahrungen im selbstgesteuerten Lernen sammeln und ihre Fähigkeiten gezielt weiterentwickeln.
Der Kurs wurde vom Career Service für das FIT Projekt durchgeführt.

Ausblick

Auch im Sommersemester 2026 wird es wieder die Möglichkeit geben, an einem Selbstlernkurs teilzunehmen. Weitere Informationen zu Inhalten, Ablauf und Anmeldung folgen in Kürze auf unserer Website.

Schaut euch auch die weiteren Angebote des Career Service hier an.

 

On November 21, 2025, participants attended an interactive seminar designed to help them understand and navigate the German job market — beyond simply searching for job ads.

Through a mix of practical input, guided exercises, and group discussion, participants explored what makes the German job market unique and how to prepare strong, targeted applications. They gained insights into employer expectations, reflected on their own competencies, and learned how to present their skills convincingly in application documents.

Highlights included:

✅ Understanding the structure and characteristics of the German job market

✅ Learning how to read and analyze job advertisements to tailor applications effectively

✅ Exploring professional networking strategies and the potential of speculative applications

✅ Reflecting on personal strengths and experiences to build a convincing applicant profile

✅ Understanding how to structure a strong CV for the German job market

✅ Learning about additional documents often required in Germany and how digital recruiting tools (e.g., ATS systems) influence applications

Participants left the workshop with a clearer understanding of how to approach their job search in Germany, along with practical strategies for researching employers, building networks, and creating professional, targeted application documents.

🎓 As part of the Employability Pass, this workshop contributed 2 points in the category Soft Skills & Employability.

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